This book explores the entanglements among Spain, Portugal, and the Dutch Republic during the seventeenth century from a global perspective. It offers a compelling analysis of how Ibero-Dutch relations shifted from violence and conflict—during the Iberian Union (1580–1640) and the Dutch quest for independence (1579–1648)—into collaboration and coexistence in the century’s second half. The encounters between the Iberians and the Dutch in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean regions highlight their centrality in geopolitical shifts around the globe. Challenging the paradigm of decline, the contributions gathered here demonstrate that instead, each polity embraced strategic trade-offs and reshaped imperial pursuits that ultimately allowed them to thrive as empires during the entire seventeenth century.

This book examined the performance of the reinforced piled embankments in both plane strain and three-dimensional conditions. The arching mechanisms involved in the piled embankments have been investigated by conducting a series of finite element analyses. A better understanding of the variation for the performance of the piled embankments along with the change of the embankment geometry and piles arrangement has been achieved. This book also considered predictions of reinforcement tension in a piled embankment from British standard BS 8006 published in 2010 and the 2012 amended version, and compared the results with finite-element model predictions. Good predictions of maximum reinforcement sag are achieved by slight modification of the BS 8006 method. Furthermore, the book considered the potentially beneficial contribution of a lightly overconsolidated clay subsoil layer, both in the finite-element predictions and as a simple modification to the BS 8006 predictive method. When compared to the finite-element results the proposed modified BS 8006 prediction is quite accurate. Finally, the concept of an interaction diagram and corresponding equation for use in design is proposed, which considered the effect of soil arching, the contribution of reinforcement and the subsoil. The calculation of the vertical stress carried by the subsoil due to arching effect and reinforcement for multilayered soil was proposed. The results show that subsoil gives a major contribution to overall vertical equilibrium, while the reinforcement gives obvious contribution at relatively large settlement. Good design practice is necessary to prevent excessive settlement of piled embankments. This book can enhance the understanding of the load transfer mechanism in piled embankments. The research results will provide a scientific basis and technical support for the settlement control of embankments for the design life of the infrastructure in soft soil areas.

This edited book explores digital visualization as a tool to communicate complex and often challenging biomedical content in an accessible and engaging way. The reader will learn how current visualization technology can be applied to a wide range of biomedical fields to benefit the learning of students and enhance the public understanding of science.

This book offers a comprehensive and practical exploration of research ethics in various social science disciplines. It goes beyond theory to provide practical guidance for researchers by offering concrete strategies, case studies, and examples to navigate ethical challenges in their research contexts. It equips readers with actionable insights and tools for ethical decision-making, enhancing its value as a practical resource. The chapters share the expertise of distinguished scholars worldwide, offering a nuanced understanding of diverse research contexts. This interdisciplinary lens makes the book relevant and applicable to a broader readership. The chapters include recent developments, emerging ethical issues, and relevant changes in guidelines and regulations. It engages readers through an accessible writing style that presents complex ethical concepts and frameworks clearly and understandably. The insights and strategies foster a deeper appreciation for ethical research practices and a nuanced understanding of the ethical obligations inherent in social science research. It caters to academic audiences and researchers who may be new to the subject, making it more approachable and appealing to a broader readership. It is an indispensable resource for researchers, educators, and practitioners seeking to fortify their understanding of ethical responsibilities and best practices within social science research.

In today's digital era, the significance of standards in modernization and innovation cannot be overstated. Often overlooked as purely technical aspects, they today reveal their profound economic and political impact. Focusing on India and China, this book sheds light onto the standardization approaches of these two dynamic nations.

This book reviews the latest research on innovative and sustainable biotechnologies for metal recovery from various process streams, emphasising the fundamentals and applications of biosystems. Divided into 7 chapters, it clarifies many topics including biological iron and aluminum recovery from wastewaters, precious metal recovery (Pt, Pd, Au, Ag), algal-based metal recovery, selenium and tellurium recovery, phytoextraction options, and arsenic removal by sulfate-reducing bacteria. Expert contributors explore microbial metabolisms such as iron oxidation, sulfate/sulfur reduction, and selenite reduction through the lens of environmental sustainability. In this book, readers will discover various case studies and commercial applications of these biotechnologies. Particular attention is given to combinations of biological systems with electrochemistry to enhance metal recycling from complex and diluted streams.

In a rapidly changing e-commerce environment, effective supplier selection and inventory management are critical to maintaining competitive advantage and operational efficiency. This book introduces innovative multi-criteria decision-making models (MCDMs) and improved inventory classification systems tailored specifically for online retail environments.

This book investigates how digitalization and service infusion are changing service provision and the customer experience. It highlights the central role of service management and service innovation in making these changes not only appear in theory but also implementing them in business practice. At the beginning of the 21st century, many manufacturing firms struggled to exploit the financial potential of service businesses, a phenomenon described as the service paradox. While many manufacturing firms are still struggling with this paradox, several firms (both service and manufacturing firms) are simultaneously struggling with digitalization. This phenomenon can be viewed as the digitalization paradox, i.e., as a situation in which companies invest in digitalization but struggle to reach the expected revenue growth. By applying the lens of service innovation to digitalization and service infusion, the book showcases how firms can overcome the service and digitalization paradoxes, transform service provision, and improve the customer experience. It offers comprehensive coverage, blending literature reviews, conceptualizations, empirical illustrations, and case studies to offer a multifaceted perspective on corporate strategies, illuminating pathways to address the challenges posed by the service and digitalization paradoxes.

Research shows that when accessing and retaining work, and when seeking promotion, disabled people often face discrimination and disadvantage that can be unlawful. Obtaining a remedy is no easy matter as, although access to justice and a fair public hearing are key human rights, disabled claimants often face barriers in Employment Tribunals.

Narcissism is considered a widespread phenomenon at leadership levels, where it is represented disproportionately compared to the general population. Furthermore, younger emerging (leadership) talents exhibit significantly higher levels of narcissism than older generations have shown to date. At the same time, traits of the Dark Triad (narcissism, machiavellianism, and psychopathy) often do not occur in isolation, but rather in combination. For this reason, companies should rethink their personnel selection, management, and development practices today. This analysis will therefore highlight the characteristics and behavior patterns of ruthless individuals from the Dark Triad, as well as possible approaches for intervention and prevention.

This book provides a comprehensive review of the major theories underlying the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. All theories discussed are supported by the latest empirical evidence, and provide the basis for clinicians to develop effective treatments. Acknowledged as a disorder that is particularly difficult to treat, this volume offers a breadth of background on borderline personality disorder that will be highly relevant to academics, researchers and clinicians alike.